First-Hand Experience For Travel And Tourism Students

First-Hand Experience For Travel And Tourism Students

Tourism students from have been learning first-hand about the joys of travel, thanks to sponsorship by P&O Ferries.

26 learners, studying on level two and three courses at the and Bridlington campuses, enjoyed a two-night mini-cruise from Hull to the Belgian city of Bruges.

The aim of the trip was to use travel to give them experience, enhance their development and learning, widen their prospects and career plans, and to give them an increased knowledge of employment within the industry.

Tutor Sarah Hamilton said: “This was a really enjoyable and valuable trip for the students. For some of them, it was the first time they had travelled on a ferry so it was an excellent experience, and we are all grateful to P&O Ferries for their contribution.

“When you travel as someone who is learning about the industry, you look at things differently and learn so much about how businesses operate and integrate with other suppliers to provide a service.

“This all backs up with real-life experience the theory they have been learning in the classroom so these kinds of study visits really are important.”

Simon Roper, on board services manager for P&O Ferries, said:

“The students were a delight, asking all sorts of questions from the viewpoint of people contemplating the travel and tourism industry from a fresh perspective.

“We gave them a good insight into the broad range of considerations that go into our , and an appreciation of how easy it is to reach the wealth of great destinations on our doorstep by ferry.”

During the trip, the students looked at employment opportunities and the types of jobs available onboard ferries, visited a chocolate museum called Choco Story and took part in a walking tour of Bruges’ tourist highlights and attractions.

This will enable them to recommend activities to customers at the College’s New Horizons Travel Agency, where the learners gain valuable work experience dealing with customer enquiries and bookings from paying members of the public.

Student Annie Palmer-Lowe, 17, from Driffield, said:

“I have never been on a ferry, before so I was nervous, but once I arrived onboard all the staff from P&O were very kind and welcoming.

“I particularly enjoyed the cabaret. I feel very confident now in recommending P&O ferries to our customers.”

Gareth Winkle, 16, from Beverley, said: “I really enjoyed our day in Bruges and especially visiting the Choco Story museum and sightseeing.

“I have never been on a ferry before and so this was my first experience – hopefully the first of many!”

East Riding College runs level two and three diplomas at its campuses in Beverley and Bridlington. New Horizons has a full service agency at the Bridlington campus and an information point at the Beverley campus, with a full service agency being built as part of the new Beverley campus in the Flemingate development.

For more information, visit www.eastridingcollege.ac.uk or call 0845 120 0037.



More From HU17.net

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *